Compton questions delays on release of Public Accounts

Belfast –
Belfast-Murray
River MLA and Opposition Finance Critic Darlene Compton is questioning delays in
government releasing its audited financial statements and calling for their
immediate release by Finance Minister Allen Roach.

“There’s
a by-election in Summerside next week and voters deserve to have an accurate
picture of the province’s finances before making their choice. Last year’s
Public Accounts statements were done before the end of September so it’s strange
to see the MacLauchlan government stalling their release this year. A reasonable
person would wonder what the Premier and Finance Minister are hiding this time,”
said Compton.

The
Public Accounts is the annual financial summary and accountability report of the
Prince Edward Island government. In past years both the Opposition and the
Auditor General’s Office have raised concerns about the inconsistent timing of
their release to the public. Last year’s Public Accounts were completed on
September 30, 2015 released to the public on October 7,
2015.

“Last
week’s Auditor General’s Report into the eGaming scandal shed new light on this
government’s secretive approach to spending public money. The MacLauchlan
government has an added responsibility to come clean with these financial
statements right away and not sit on them for partisan gain,” said
Compton.

Opposition Leader Jamie Fox is demanding government immediately suspend three senior government officials identified today by the Auditor General as having broken the law during the E-gaming scandal. see more